February 14, 2011

Concealed carry in bars and “ThatGuy”

Ohio is close to passing legislation to allow people carrying guns in bars. That freaks some people out.

First, let ‘s understand you need a license to carry a handgun concealed in Ohio. That means you need to take a class on safety and the law about self-defense and carrying a gun. Then you need to apply at the Sheriff’s office and pay for a background check and fingerprinting. Then you can have an Ohio “Concealed Handgun license.” (CHL)

Second, it is illegal to have a gun on you if you have any alcohol in your system.

Third, you can’t enter a building that serves alcohol if you have your gun with you. You cannot go to a nice restaurant (wine) or eat at a pizza place (beer) or go to a bar. Even if you are the DD.

But you can’t drink anyway.

Sounds redundant, doesn’t it?

So the state government might possibly remove the last part. You still cannot drink, remember that, but you can carry in bars if you are the DD or just to meet friends or whatnot.

So this is NOT about being drunk with a gun. That is illegal and will continue to be. So this isn’t about drunks.

Or is it?

Let’s face it, we all have dealt with or know someone who dealt with, the dreaded “ThatGuy.” You know, as in That Guy who shouldn’t be drinking in the first place…

There is nothing to stop ThatGuy, who has no CHL, from dropping a gun in his pocket and then walking out his front door. (Felony 1)
And then going to a bar (Felony 2)
And then drinking. (Felony 3)

Then when he becomes belligerent toward your loved one and as you both turn to leave, he feel insulted so he then
Pulls out the gun, (Felony 4)
Shoots it, (Felony 5)
Into your chest. (Felony 6)

I see a pattern.

So “no one” wants guns in bars because of “thatguy.”

But it’s already illegal for thatguy to do so.

Stating the Obvious: If a homicide creep wants to shoot you in a crowded place, you have two choices. A) get shot in the back or B) try to take the gun away. Without getting shot. FYI, this is iffy even for those who practice long and often.

So now we have a case of only the bad guys have guns. And yes, they are “Bad Guys,” They are not misunderstood, there is no look-at-it-from-their-point-of-view, no they just feel bad about themselves.

Nonsense.

They hurt others for NO, good, reason.

They are bad people

And if you are in a bar, they are the only ones with guns. Because the good guys who believe in live and let live DON’T BREAK THE LAW. Even if the law is arbitrary, useless, and Redundant.

But won’t more guns in bars just mean more drunks with guns?

How? The law abiding people with guns don’t drink. Nor will they. The jerk, the idiot, and “thatguy” already sneak guns in. The belligerents have their guns. They know how not to get caught.

Here is a suggestion.

Help the good guys win.

No, a firearm is not an Aegis ref that immunizes you to all harm.

But it gives you a chance.

The critics will wonder how can we guarantee that we won’t miss and hurt a bystander.

First, there are no guarantees in life. Second, why don’t you wonder about the bad guy’s bullets hitting random victims in addition to the intended ones?

Also the situation poses two realities. First, if the bar, or anywhere is that crowded, then the shots will be fired from arms length, often at a target that is coming towards you. Second, the presence of your gun will likely have a deterrent effect. The threat, once realizing that he no longer has an overwhelming advantage, may decide that living is more important then killing and thus, run away.

Remember, as soon as the threat disengages he is no longer a threat. And you can only shoot people if they are an immediate threat.

I want honest people carrying firearms in bars, in restaurants and other public place specificity Because of all the “ThatGuy’s” in the world. They are still a threat even if you leave your gun at home. In fact they are MORE of a threat because they shouldn’t be drinking.

The best part of the (hopefully soon) new law is it enables people, vetted and trained, to have their guns with them as they go out and go home. No firearms left locked in the car. Just good people willing to stand up to bad people.

No guarantees, but as least you have a chance. Otherwise, you just die.